Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 December 2016
161. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection the non-disclosure and confidentiality agreements his Department holds with the Citizens Information Board, the Pensions Authority, the Office of the Pensions Ombudsman, the Pensions Council and the Social Welfare Tribunal. [39094/16]
View answer162. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 351 of 29 November 2016, the legislative and legal basis for his statement (details supplied) in reply to the question; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39095/16]
View answer163. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection if his attention has been drawn to the fact that in reply to a question on non-disclosure or confidentiality agreements, the Minister for Health was able to furnish the information (details supplied); the way in which the Department of Health can furnish such information while his Department contends that to provide such information is not appropriate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39096/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 161 to 163, inclusive, together.
There are no non-disclosure or confidentiality agreements held between my Department and any of the agencies operating under the aegis of the Department.
The point made in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 351 of 29th November 2016 reflects the normal practice in relation to contracts of agreement between parties to a settlement. I understand that, in normal course, the terms of individual settlement agreements in respect of discrete court actions may be subject to confidentiality agreements as to their terms.
Insofar as my Department is concerned, such settlements are not collated and information in relation to any or all such agreements is not, therefore, available. As I advised also in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 351 of 29th November 2016 it would not be feasible to analyse all of the legal cases in which my Department (or its agencies) have engaged to determine whether any non-disclosure or confidentiality agreements have been entered into with any organisation due to court action or a threatened court action.
